29-year-old anarchist arrested after allegedly posting $45,000 hit on Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI says

A 29-year-old man with a long criminal history was arrested Oct. 16 after allegedly posting a chilling murder-for-hire message on TikTok that offered $45,000 for the death of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, federal authorities announced.

The FBI says Tyler Maxon Avalos broadcast the threat on social media, attaching a photo of Bondi with a sniper-scope red dot over her forehead and the caption, “WANTED: Pam Bondi / REWARD: 45,000 ‘ DEAD OR ALIVE / (PREFERABLY DEAD).” According to court documents, Avalos added, “Cough cough. When they don’t serve us, then what?”

Investigators say the social-post tip came from a vigilant member of the public, and that led the FBI to take Avalos into custody. He’s been charged with interstate transmission of a threat to injure another person, a federal crime that the bureau treats with the utmost seriousness.

Court filings portray Avalos as tied to anarchist circles. His TikTok handle reportedly included an apparent anarchy symbol, and prosecutors note his profile linked to “An Anarchist FAQ book.” Those details, combined with the violent imagery and explicit bounty language, prompted a rapid federal response.

Avalos also carries a lengthy rap sheet. Records show prior convictions for stalking in Minnesota in July 2022 and a 2016 domestic battery conviction in Florida. Authorities say those past offenses factored into their assessment of the threat he posed.

Threats against public officials are a direct attack on the rule of law and on the institutions that keep Americans free. The FBI’s intervention prevented what could have been a deadly escalation, and it sends a clear message: violent intimidation of government figures will not be tolerated.

Pam Bondi, a high-profile figure who has served in prominent legal roles, was the target of a brazen, public call for violence. The case underscores how social platforms can be used to amplify danger, and how critical it is for law enforcement and platform operators to act quickly when lives are at risk.

The investigation is ongoing, and federal prosecutors will determine whether additional charges are warranted. For now, Avalos remains in custody as authorities continue to piece together the scope of the alleged plot and any connections that may have enabled it.